Sahibzada, Tariq propel Pakistan into Super Eights with big win

COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden T20I century and clinical bowling powered Pakistan to a big 102-run win over Namibia in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 must-win clash on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Set a daunting target, Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs.

Namibia’s openers started steadily in the chase, adding 32 in 4.1 overs. However, Salman Mirza’s first breakthrough stalled the Eagles’ chase.

After losing the first wicket, Namibia never came back in the game as Pakistan bowlers tightened the screws with regular wickets.

As a result, Namibia were reduced to 49-4 in 7.3 overs.

JJ Smit and Alexander Busing-Volschenk tried to arrest the slide with a 30-run partnership. The pair managed to bring the total to 79 in 12.3 overs.

But it was Usman Tariq’s mystery and Shadab Khan’s sharp leg spin bowling that quickly unraveled Namibia’s innings.

Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 23 off 22 balls with the aid of three fours and a six.

For Pakistan, Usman Tariq stood out among the bowlers, picking up a four-wicket haul. Shadab Khan supported him well with his three wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable 199-3 against Namibia in their 20 overs.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan made a brisk start as Farhan and Saim Ayub stitched together a quickfire 40-run opening stand in just over five overs.

The partnership ended when Jack Brassell dismissed Ayub for 14 off 12 balls, an innings that included two boundaries.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the pair built a steady 67-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark and laying the foundation for a big total.

Brassell struck again to remove Agha for a well-made 38 off 23 balls, leaving Pakistan at 107-2 in 12.1 overs.

Youngster Khawaja Nafay was promoted to number four but could only manage five runs before falling to Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus.

Sahibzada Farhan, however, continued to dominate. Joined by Shadab Khan, the duo added an unbeaten 81-run stand for the fourth wicket to propel Pakistan to an imposing total.

Shadab, after a cautious start, accelerated to finish on 36 off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

The night, though, belonged to Farhan. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 100 from 58 deliveries, hammering 11 fours and four sixes in a commanding display of strokeplay.

With this milestone, he became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in a Men’s T20 World Cup.

READ: South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run